Meet Antoine: The Founder of Luxury Accessory Brand Homage Year
New York born creative Antoine Manning merges both design and community through his luxury fashion brand, Homage Year. The brand quickly rose in popularity when the HOMAGE OVA Manifestation Bag started making waves online. Not only is the shape of the bag something one would never expect for a handbag, but the print is eye-catching and an immediate conversation starter. With a design style so unique and refreshing it is clear that Homage Year’s brand is more than what meets the eye. In this conversation with Antoine, we dive into the history of Homage Year, Antoine’s creative process, and journey as the founder of a luxury accessory brand.
via Black Fashion Fair
Can you break down how you decided on the name Homage Year? What does the name mean to you?
I honestly do not remember the exact moment when "Homage Year" came to me, but the process of getting there was interesting. After the loss of my father, I went through almost an awakening and a realization that I wanted to live and create a life on my own terms. With that being said, I idealized a brand called MOIST TRENDS (LOL). The brand was focused on the graphic expression of the time, emoji heavy and emotional but I didn't think it was authentic to me. After further thought and analysis of the recent losses I had taken, I deemed it more appropriate and authentic to make something paying homage to those I had lost and to remember the present time to build up the future and voila.. Homage Year.
It means to remember and pay my respects to those who have invested their time and energy for us all to be here.
“Homage Year means to remember and pay respects to those who have invested their time and energy for us all to be here. The fruit connection arises from its symbolic nature for all things good and bad. I just love utilizing nature as a whole as a basis because that’s all we are.”
Fruit seems to be a common theme in regards to your bag's design. What is the connection or relationship to fruit?
The fruit connection arises from its symbolic nature for all things good and also all things bad. I just love utilizing nature as a whole as a basis because that’s all we are. We are products of the nature we are around and nurturing that we experience.
www.homageyear.com
How much do you contribute your upbringings and where you are from, to your art?
Honestly, my art and expression is an exact representation of my upbringing. I use it to tell how I feel, what I see, my journey and where I want to be. I think the "shoe toss" earrings are a good example of that. I'm still learning about the best ways to go about it and the best ways to bring my thoughts together on all creative fronts, but I would say my upbringing is highly impactful.
Would you say your creative process is approached in a more orderly or chaotic fashion?
My creative process is not orderly at all! If it was I think we would be farther. It’s something I'm constantly working on. Embracing my process while refining the things that could make us better.
Congrats on your recent bag collaboration with Black Fashion Fair and the Jean Michel Basquiat Estate! What was that experience like partnering with the work of someone so prominent in art?
Thank you so much! The experience is surreal to me. I grew up looking up to him, his candor, his work and means of expression. Something like this was always a dream to me. It happened sooner than I could ever imagine. His family is wonderful, from his sisters to his nieces. All the fellow designers that were selected by Black Fashion Fair did an impeccable job. I am extremely fortunate and thankful.
Would you ever venture outside of designing bags? If so, what are you interested in pursuing?
I am extremely interested in expanding from bags to other accessories. I want to do everything but simply starting with turning the accessory game up a notch and expanding from there.
How did you come up with the signature shape for your bags? What was that process like designing it from scratch to getting a tangible product?
The story of how I came up with the bag is actually a funny one. I was finishing an internship with a friend of mine. She was primarily tasked with designing these bags for the company and I just wanted to help so I gave her some rough drafts and sketches of things to play with. When our internship ended she basically came to me and said it was my turn to make a bag with my logo on it and after she said that, the idea just came into my head. The actual process was so seamless, it feels weird saying it but designing is the hardest part which is followed-up by actually getting your product made but I had access to both things so it made my experience much more enjoyable than stressful.
Photo by France Bince
What's next for Homage Year?
What's next? More authenticity, more stories to be told and more intention. :)
Each handcrafted piece of Homage Year’s is an inception of art and authenticity, embodying reverence for culture, environmental advocacy, and societal reflection. Homage Year isn't just about accessories; it's a narrative of care and imagination, where each creation is a testament to growth and the pursuit of change.
